Enrollment49,500 Enrolled for Transportation24,800 Enrolled for Special Transportation560 Total Miles each day24,520 Total Miles each year4.4 million Total number of buses298 Total special education buses 45 Total number of employees340

State Law, Mandates – Most states require the local school district to develop plans to prepare students to respond to emergency situations. School District Policies & Procedures – “Emergency evacuation drills shall be conducted regularly throughout the school term to thoroughly acquaint student riders with procedures in emergency situations.”

National School Transportation Specifications & Procedures Emergency Evacuation Of Students With Disabilities Each bus route should have a written emergency evacuation plan. This plan should include a student’s ability to evacuate or help others. Students with disabilities should participate in required evacuation drills and should only be excluded if their participation would present a health risk.

When would you evacuate? Fire or possibility of fire Bus stalled in dangerous traffic or railroad tracks Bus is unstable Severe weather – tornado warning Concern of imminent danger When would you not evacuate? Downed power lines Safer to stay on bus and wait for help

Developing a Plan Plan should be written. The plan should be explained in less than one (1) minute. Each plan should be well rehearsed –at least twice annually (if not more). Drivers and bus assistants should have a working knowledge of each bus route and safe locations They should also have knowledge of locations of hospitals, fire and police stations, etc. Resources School Health Nurse Occupational Therapist Physical Therapist Speech & Language Therapist Other members of the IEP Team as appropriate

Equipment Heavy duty belt cutter Fire blanket or Evac-Aide Guide rope First Aid Kit and Body Fluids Clean Up Kit Working Knowledge Be thoroughly familiar with all equipment on the school bus such as: tie down securement straps, manual operation of wheelchair lift, student medical equipment. Is checking your emergency equipment and plan a part of the everyday Pre Trip Inspection?

IEP Know your students – Age, Physical Ability, Cognitive, Medical, Behavioral, Communication, Equipment Health Care Concerns How long can the student safely be without these: Oxygen, Suction Machines, Feeding Tubes, Ventilators, etc.? Physical condition of students Which students can assist? Who needs assistance exiting and what type of assistance? Who needs total assistance?

Behavioral Student fears (heights) Crying Refuses to leave the bus Hide under the seats Run away Unpredictable

Important issues to consider when establishing a plan Seating arrangements including: CSRS, wheelchair, safety vest. Plan for each bus and each route. Can you explain the plan in less than one (1) minute? Be prepared to exit front and/or rear. Include the order students would leave the bus. Which adults/students might be able to assist?

Evacuating students in wheelchairs Is the lift operational? Is there time to evacuate using the lift? If so, use the lift. How many chairs are on the bus? Priority may be for the heaviest wheelchair. Can the wheelchair lift be operated manually? When the lift is not operating, non ambulatory students should be removed from their wheelchair as quickly and safely as possible.

Determining which students to remove from wheelchairs This procedure may cause injury to students and should only be used in a life threatening emergency. Ambulatory students may require physical assistance. Small children may be lifted and carried. Students too large to be carried may be removed from the bus by placing on a blanket and either lifted or dragged to the nearest exit. All staff should be trained in lifting techniques (2 man lift).

Freeing students from securement devices and other items If time permits, release the wheelchair securement devices manually. In emergency situations, a belt cutter may be used to quickly release the securement devices. There should be a minimum of two (2) belt cutters per bus.

Dealing with a medical emergency during an evacuation Be aware that an emergency situation could be a trigger for seizure, panic attack, etc. Know the physical limits of students when they are removed from ventilators, oxygen, or other special life support equipment.

Monitoring students once they are off the bus What is the student order of evacuation? Can certain students be left unattended while you evacuate others? Which students cannot be left unattended while you assist others evacuate the bus? Utilizing volunteers – Is this in your plan? Should it be? Take your student list with you to verify all students are evacuated.

Is training and practice a part of your staff development, and is it documented? Staff Development Hands On Table Top Exercises Staff must train to think quickly and make good decisions. Conduct emergency evacuation drills with students. Documentation should be filed on the bus, at the school, and in the transportation office.

Drills – Where do they occur Most drills should occur in a safe area on school campus. Drills should be monitored by school administration and transportation staff. All students, even those who do not normally ride, should participate. This prepares students for an emergency that might occur on a field trip.

Removing a student from a wheelchair and using the drag method with an Evac-Aide

Are you involving Police Departments, Fire Departments, and EMT’s in your plan or drill? Provide emergency personnel instructions on utilizing emergency exits, equipment, etc.

Scenario #1 Mike is a Middle school student with Duchene MD and is transported on the bus in a motorized WC. He weighs about 200 lbs. and the WC weighs an additional 600 lbs. Mike is secured in a WC station at the front of the bus. Scenario #2 The special education bus is taking the preschool class on a field trip to the zoo. There are 4 adults on the bus including the driver. None of the students have physical disabilities but all are seated in CSRS.

Develop a Written Plan Follow Policies and Procedures. Utilize Resources. Be familiar with equipment. Use IEP, Health Care Plans, and know about physical and behavioral concerns of students. Update the plan to include new students. Practice Written plan for each route Situations when wheelchair lift will not work Drag Method Practice!